Park Plaza and the Glorious Steak , Kolkata

Park Plaza and the Glorious Steak , Kolkata 

Sometime in April when Park Plaza had invited a few of the city's bloggers for tasting of their menu at K19. I really did not know what to expect. I did hear from a friend that its quite a happening place in the Southern part of Kolkata but frankly speaking I had not been to this place but a bite into their steak and I was a convert.

In-between there was too much going on in my life and at times I would go back to that juicy succulent steak done exactly how I had wanted it which was rare to medium. The vegetables which accompanied the steak retained their crunch and I would definitely recommend this place to all steak lovers. I am a potato lover and I must say the creamy smooth mash is the added attraction to the steak.

Now coming to the rest of the platter which had been presented to us the cocktails are well made , the Kebbab platter for non vegetarians is quite delicious but there is nothing extraordinary about the kebabs but judging by how fast a platter was shared between 4 food diners I would say its a lovely accompaniment to conversations and good times. 

If you love pork I would suggest you steer clear of their offer. The pork chop was swimming in fat and for me if a pork chop has 70% fat in it the delight is almost completely lost. 

On being asked about their specialty the chef had recommended their offer of pizzas but by then we were only too well fed and were unable to eat another bite. 

So here is wishing all you steak lovers the best of steak and health at Park Plaza. 

A real taste of Italy at Serafina Kolkata

A real taste of Italy at Serafina Kolkata 

Kolkata has  long been introduced to wood oven pizzas and it has also been exposed to a variety of flavours from Italy for quite sometime but if you are thinking that another Italian place in Kolkata is not too exciting I would just simply recommend that you visit Serfina once , have their truffle pizza and get back to me unless you do not like delightful cheesy pizzas with that slight hint of truffles all imported from Italy and France.

When Sharmili from Communication 2.0 invited us for a tasting of the extensive spread at Serafina I was not sure what to expect. We were 6 or 7 excited bloggers and we decided to ask the restaurant for their specialty. They said it was their pastas and pizzas. Well as cliched as that might sound from a restaurant serving Italian cuisine read along to know why this place is worth its pizzas pastas and much more.

On the manager's recommendation I tried the Kaffir Lime Margharita which unfortunately failed to strike a chord with me because it wasn't chilled well enough but was nevertheless tasty yet on a hot summer day I would have personally preferred it well chilled.

The carpaccio which followed the drink more than made up for the drink. This is quite frankly the perfect start to a lovely hearty Italian meal.

Just as we were raving about the crapaccio we were presented with the Goat cheese salad which frankly interested me even more not just because I personally love rocket leaves and goat cheese but the presentation seemed rustic and beautiful. As I took a bite into creamy goat cheese spread out on small slices of well toasted bread and try a bit of caramelized walnuts with rocket and apples all the flavours together made me extremely happy.

All their pastas are in house made with imported flour which gives it that extra flavour no wonder they take pride in their pastas and pizzas. The Ravioli al Porcini is the best ravioli I have had in Kolkata. The flavour of Parmesan and porcini makes for a superb combination and the ravioli is done exactly the way I would want it to be neither overcooked nor undercooked.

The Alio e Olio is probably what I would personally try on an ordinary day at home but when I am out for fine dining I would want something slightly more complex.

The chicken breast paillard is again a breast of chicken which is pounded into a thin sheet and makes up for quite an interesting dish but the Baby lamp chops are what I would personally recommend. Rosemary works beautifully with red meat and the perfectly done lamb pink inside , soft juicy yet meaty is exactly how lamb chops should be in my opinion.

By this time we were overly full and the sight of any other dish while hard to resist tasting seemed quite a task but nevertheless one cannot leave without a sweet ending and when we asked the chef for his recommendation he had at first recommended chocolate mousse but I personally feel chocolate desserts are rather overused everywhere and so I gladly tasted the tiramisu which is probably the perfect ending to a beautiful meal and the panna cota was creamy well set and not overly wobbly. What also did catch my eye was the inclusion of a few desserts which Kolkata is usually not used to such as the Ricotta cheesecake. While we love our baked cheesecake till now I have mostly tasted cheesecake from Cream cheese and this classic Italian cheesecake would be quite interesting.

The creamy panna cotta

I am extremely happy that Serafina has opened its doors to Kolkata and would recommend it for a true blue experience.

Approximate cost for 2 : Rs2500 to Rs3000

Good Food Anywhere in Kolkata (Hungerz)

Good Food Anywhere in Kolkata (Hungerz) 

It was an evening when the winter rains drizzled all over Kolkata leaving it a muddy mess on a cold day and I was swamped with work with no time to enter the kitchen. I was craving a certain bowl of soup from a certain restaurant but knew that they would have never delivered to my place since it was 4 kilometers away from where I live and as far I know the restaurant does not deliver to any place at all. I was unwillingly thinking of ordering in from the nearby Chinese joint which I am not particularly fond of when I remembered a friend talking about her friend who ordered in from this same restaurant through some service and her house is a good 7 kilometers away from the restaurant in question.

Thanks to Google I got hold of Hungerz and gave them a call to clarify about their service. Here is what ensured . I got a bowl of the soup I was craving in less time than the service itself had promised, it was piping hot and  that day I came to know that from now on any food no minimum order applies is at the tip of a phone call to this service provider.

Over the last 5 months I have ordered in quite a number of times from any restaurant of my choice and each time I have loved the service more and more for little things. Let's take the last time I had ordered in . Even before I placed the order they had told me that they were in a bit of a packed situation and I would get by order within so and so time. Now not only was I impressed that they had warned me about the delay they delivered within the time they had promised.

So when Pallavi from their marketing team asked me if I would share my experience with my readers I was more than happy to do it.

Now nothing in life is for free so this fabulous service does come with a reasonable service charge. Now value for money is a subjective phrase but at the same time let's see why this should mostly be value for money.

Take a look at their website and you shall see a number of restaurants which have partnered with this service and if you order in from these restaurants you pay Rs100 and for any non partner restaurants you pay Rs199.

Why I feel its value for money is because firstly they deliver to you from any place within 8 kilometers of you house, no minimum costs apply which for me is what I look for. There are many hole in wall joints which makes some amazing food but let's say its neither within walking distance nor a place where you would ideally visit after dark and these guys get your chose of food right at your door step even if its 7 kilometers away. When you want all these luxuries surely this price is not a big deal. Not just that even if you do travel you do pay a price for traveling and here all you do is give them a call.

They operate within 10 kilometers on either side of Park Street and in the Salt area and like I have mentioned before the restaurant must be within 8 kilometers of where you want your piping hot to be delivered.

The point is you could be in your pajamas wanting ice-cream while watching that movie and would just not want to get your car out or worse face the ever naysayer taxi driver who does not want to take you to your choice of destination or call a car service provider all you have to do is contact Hungerz and within a tiem frame you have ice-cream right at your doorstep or for that matter Pizza from any restaurant within or Chinese food or rather any food that you crave from any restaurant.

Check out their website Hungerz

Nature's Table at Jhaal Farezi

Nature's Table at Jhaal Farezi 

For me the term 'Organic food' takes me to a peaceful state of mind where I taste food which is as close to nature as possible.

When Jhaal Farezi invited Kolkata Food Blogger's for their 2 day event 'Nature's Table' my ears were immediately pricked or rather my eyes were glued to the invitation and so on a sunny winter's day I headed off to Jhaal Farezi located at Park Circus on Circus Avenue expecting fresh food which rejuvenates the body and mind.

I entered the place and was immediately reminded of a relaxed brunch which incidentally was what this event was all about. There was laughter and chatter and people were enjoying themselves. I was immediately greeted by the cheerful Debamita who insisted that I taste a few dishes which was on offer from Jhaal Farezi keeping in tune with the event but then the stalls seemed so fascinating that I couldn't stop myself from checking them out.

The first stall which caught my attention was one which had these fresh vegetables, bottled Preserves and cheese on offer. They are called 'Lettuce Eat' and are making an effort to deliver fresh organic pesticide free food. On offer is fresh organic vegetables from Green Tokri, 40 varieties of organic cheese from Mango Hill in Pondicherry which produces some lip smacking cheese including their very own 'La Pondicherry' which has a delightfully nutty taste and Naturellement which gives you organic preserves which taste delightful indeed at affordable prices.

A taste of their Basil pesto and sun dried tomato salsa proved that the products are indeed fresh and are bursting with flavour.

A chat with corporate chef Sumanta Chakraborti led to a few revelations which can delight just about any health conscious person or anyone who is looking for quality over quantity.

Imagine a resort which grows its own vegetables. Well that's exactly what the Ambuja Neotia group does in their Raichak outlet and what more they try and incorporate fresh organic ingredients in some of their dishes across all restaurants managed by Ambuja Neotia group and they source it from Green Tokri.

A sampling of the food left me extremely satisfied due to the crunch from the salads which is a key indication of a vegetable's freshness  . The dressings on offer were equally healthy and fresh.

The apple veloute soup was a winter's delight indeed. Warm hearty and delicious to the last drop interspersed with the mild flavour of green apples .

I was intrigued to learn that the breads on offer were mostly without all purpose flour except for the base for the pizzas and it focused on health which is a great initiative indeed.

Also on offer was Sienna showcasing their beautiful and bright pottery and Green Earth which showcased some lovely mats.

This event in question not only allows you to sample these delightful dishes put together by Chef Swarup Chatterjee but it makes the guests realize that organic food does actually provide a superior taste and is a wonderful start to a healthy and happy life.

I highly recommend ordering some fantastic cheese , preserves and fresh organic vegetables from Lettuce Eat. Find them here Lettuce Eat and get fresh delicious ingredients delivered to your door step at a nominal fee of Rs25


This event was held on the 10th and 11th of January 2015 and here is hoping that Kolkata gets to attend such a beautiful event in the near future.

Do read my friend and fellow blogger Pritha's experience of the same event : Jhaal Farezi's Organic Food Fest

Le Thuet at Taj Bengal's The HUb

When Food is Sublime 

An afternoon of sublime dishes. Now I have personally heard of music being referred to as sublime but food which is sublime is a rare treat indeed.

With Taj Bengal hosting Le Thuet,  a special gastronomical indulgence at their restaurant The Hub, I was fortunate enough to have been invited as part of Kolkata Food Bloggers to attend a very special lunch.

The culinary magician and his lovely better half

Chef Marc Thuet and his lovely wife and business partner Biana Zorich had flown in all the way from Canada to share sublime dishes with Kolkata. What one feels after meeting this lovely couple is  that they are warm and friendly and keep you engaged in a delightful conversation and then slowly you learn that Chef Thuet has catered to some of the biggest celebrities in the world from Bill Clinton to Tom Cruise but he believes  'every customer of mine is a celebrity' and he indeed treats every customer of his like a celebrity and if you have the good fortune of tasting what comes out of his kitchen you would feel like a star indeed.

With his roots in Alsace in France and having gained experience in the kitchen from a tender age of 12 this friendly gentleman does have magical culinary  tricks up his sleeves to make every dish taste exquisite.

On a hot summer's day he had arrived in Kolkata with a menu which he had prepared in Canada  and was so surprised and fascinated with the range of ingredients available in Kolkata that he changed his menu upon arrival and believes he could have saved a lot of time had he known about Calcutta's availability of ingredients.

Cold Cucumber Soup

In keeping with the sultry weather we begun our lunch with a cold cucumber soup which was the perfect choice for a tropical summer day. The beautiful flavours of olive oil and sun dried tomatoes infused with the freshness of cucumbers and cooling effect of yogurt made it a delightful start for guests and the goat cheese is the surprise element which makes you squeal in delight if you are a cheese lover as I am.

The Quebec duck magret

Now if you are allergic to seafood like I am you would really miss out on the opportunity to have the lovely Cured Cuebec Duck Magret  served with sweet water prawns and black cumin caramel and mango but with Biana as the lovely hostess it was  made sure that I  get to taste what I am  not allergic to. She insisted  that I be served the Cured Quebec duck magret by itself and I have to say that the taste was delicious all the way and why wouldn't it be when it is made from ducks with plump breasts which is cured for for 7 days in a secret rub especially mixed  by our lovely chef.

The Lamb 

Now let me talk about the dishes which made me feel Chef Thuet serves sublime food. From the main course the Gremolata crusted lamb rack served with basil and goat cheese mashed potato with a baby carrot , mushroom and asparagus was what caught my attention and a forkful of the perfectly medium done lamb chop made me realize that the Chef does have a magical affair with his kitchen. The sauce which took my breathe away was a reduction which was made with the bones and vegetables alone and cooked thrice. I have to recommend this dish to anyone who loves lamb chops.


If we are in the company of the Chef and his better half  who supply bread to the Ritz Carlton then of course you are in for a treat when it comes to bread. The baguette was one of the finest bread I have had which my taste buds fell in love with. Cotton soft inside with a nice crust I was intrigued by it and on asking Biana I found out that the culture used to make the bread had been carried back from Canada and that was the reason for the perfect sourdough bread. Chef Thuet shared a tiny bit of historical fact about these baguettes , how in the old days in Paris people had to work without machines and these would be allowed to rise 6 times and after each rise of the dough it would  be punched down and then allowed to rise again and ultimately it resulted in this magnificent classic bread.

I was served a dish made with asparagus and Parmesan cheese which was a very elegant dish and this was because I was allergic to sea food and I have to say I was amazed again.

Ending things on a sweet note

A chef who breaks away from tradition yet keeping the full flavours of tradition intermixed with the creative side of a brilliant magician of the kitchen presented two delightful desserts out of which one is again sublime. The saffron tartlet with golden peach and Alphonso  had the perfect buttery base which does not overpower your palate yet leaves it satisfied and it has the one variant of mango which is Chef Thuet's favourite, the alphonso mango,  but the Chocolate Caramel Mousse Verrine with sea salt crumble is magic for the palate again. The smoothness, richness with the unique hint of salty delicacy will surely linger in your mouth for a long time and the taste will linger in your mind. I was in for a surprise when I was told that the chocolate used was the one which Taj Bengal's Hub normally uses. You can alwways blindly trust Taj Bengal indeed.


Hurry because the food festival Le Thuet will be open for lunch and dinner till the 18th of April at Taj Bengal's The Hub  and if you are a culinary enthusiast you cannot miss this amazing opportunity

Kebab e Que

Kebab - E -Que 

Murgh Burra kebab 

An invitation led 3 ladies to 'Kebab e Que' on a sultry afternoon. Easy to locate this one is one of the old restaurants of the erstwhile Calcutta currently known as Kolkata on Shakespeare Sarani on the right hand side of the road if you are coming from AJC Bose road. It is housed in the 'The Astor' Hotel and if you ask anyone  who has been born and raised in this city chances are he or she has had an encounter with this famous restaurant in some way or the other. I have personally never sat down for a meal at this place but when I told my father I was going to 'Kebab e Que ' his first reaction was that of nostalgia. Apparently he has brought back kebabs from this delightful restaurant many a times when attending formal or informal dinners at this age old place.

As is usually the norm of old eateries in Calcutta the staff is effortlessly polite and our lovely hostess Supreeta was warm and friendly. Before we began our lunch I ordered some some kebabs to be packed for my father who had demanded that I bring back some kebabs from this famous eatery . The decor is very Old school Calcutta with red and black dominating the walls and floor. The little hanging lamps over each table is a fine idea indeed giving the place  a romantic feel . Our server had recommended the Murgh Chakori Kebab and our delightful hostess recommended the Lahsuni Fish and so these were the items which were packed.

Soon enough my fellow bloggers arrived and we proceeded to lunch. While Miss P.Banerjee ordered a diet coke I opted for the classic lemonade. The drinks were served quickly enough and I have to say that the lemonade was just perfect for my taste buds. I had wanted a sweet and salty lemonade and it had the right balance of sweetness and saltiness. My only complaint would be that the lemonade was not chilled. I would have preferred it had they used chilled water because with the addition of ice cubes the taste gets diluted.

We proceeded to the kebabs soon enough and the Murgh Burra kebab is a true delight, spicy , well grilled on the outside with soft meat inside. I was thrilled. The lahsuni fish kebab lived up to its high recommendation. The size of the pieces are generous and the fish is fresh and soft and the amount of garlic used seemed perfect, neither too little nor too much for my palate. The Mutton seekh kebab scored the lowest for my palate because I found the use of garam masala to be slightly on the higher side which overpowered the taste of the kebab.

We were led to the buffet and the spread is varied and delightful. Being a fan of salads I immediately took some Pineapple Chicken salad and Russian salad. The pineapple chicken salad is a wonderful salad. The tangy taste of pineapples, the beautiful flavour of parsley and the soft bite sized chicken  was  a lovely combination. To be fair the Russian salad did not make a huge impact on my taste buds. Their dahi  papri chaat was delicious but the papri having been added from before had become soggy and I cannot but wish that the papri be served separately.

From the main course the 'Ghee-bhat' was a delight indeed. The aroma of ghee , the beautiful basmati rice cooked perfectly is a perfect combination with the Butter Chicken Tikka or the Mutton curry. The Butter chicken tikka was perfect in terms of the creamy rich gravy but the pieces of chicken were much too large and I personally feel that keeping it boneless would only enhance the diner's experience. Also on offer was this unique fish in mustard sauce where the fish had been grilled and then cooked in a gravy of mustard which is very unique and recommendable indeed. Also on offer was the Spicy cauliflower curry , some lovely Rajma , which I personally left could have been thicker and spicier and a host of other offerings like the fried potato, Moong pulse etc .

Our hostess informed us that the menu for the buffet changes everyday and that sounded very interesting indeed. A wide selection of delightfully prepared dishes at Rs425 + taxes seems perfectly reasonable indeed.

While the ice-cream did not really beckon me the swiss roll did pleasantly surprise me. It was light fluffy and one of the best you can get in this town.

The Kebabs I took back home cost a mere Rs700 and the taste captivated everyone. The Chakori with the delightful flavour of fenugreek and the garlic fish kebabs are perfect for a kebab lover.

We have been further informed by our sweet hostess that Kebab e Que will soon have a wonderful makeover where the old favourites will remain the same but some new healthy and varied dishes  would be added to sweep everybody off their feet.

I would definitely recommend a visit to this place in the center of the city.

Dilli-gate, Kolkata

Dilli-gate, Kolkata 

 A joint venture with a joint menu of  lip smacking food from North West India , Calcuttan Chinese and Mughlai dishes. Located in the Eastern hub of the city of Joy this place is a much needed multicuisine restaurant for the area.

I was invited as part of the Kolkata Food Bloggers to sample their divert menu. Locating the restaurant is not very difficult. If you are going from Park Circus keep an eye on the left hand side of the road and you shall reach the area within 10 minutes from Park Circus.

The interiors is done in green but the chairs and tables seem very comfortable to sit in, big back rest with cushioned chairs. One side of the wall is lined with pictures of street food be it the hearty punjabi food, the delicate noodles or the Mughlai Paraunthes.

This restaurant is the brain child of Mr.Manish Singh from the ever popular Balwant Singh Dhaba at Elgin road and Mr. Mukesh Agarwal.

What caught my attention was that the owners let us know that this is essentially a 'budget restaurant where it wouldn't cost more than Rs300 to Rs400 per person.' They have made their menu and pricing keeping the recession in mind and that is worth appreciating. The idea is to make available dishes from different cuisines so that one does not get bored with the same kind of cuisine.

The creamy spinach rolls 

We were first served an assortment of starters and I must say that their Mutton Seekh Kebab was soft succulent and juicy . The Murgh Tikka had the perfect balance of spices and saltiness for my palate and I was already a fan when we were served the Chicken lollipops. To be fair the chicken lollipops were quite a disappointment since it was too spicy and had way too much of soy sauce than I would prefer.


For vegetarians I must recommend the spinch spring rolls which were creamy and delicious . They serve it with an in-house made sauce which is perfectly spicy and tangy to balance the creaminess of the rolls . I personally did not take after the hara bhara  kebabs since it was a bit too mushy and salty  for my taste buds.

We were soon led to the buffet to sample the main course and I have to say that their sprout salad is quite delightful with its lemony tangy taste. The rajma was perfectly thick and delicious but could have done with a bit of extra spice. The Murgh tikka Makhani was delicious indeed creamy, spicy amazingly soft meat. The Mutoon which was simply served as Kosha Mutton (which means bhunoed mutton) was amazingly soft and tender and had the perfect balance of saltiness and saltiness. It was a thick almost dry curry which is a superbly made dish. Their malai kofta was soft and creamy and perfect for my taste buds.

The Mutton 

I personally did not like their Chinese offerings be it the noodles or the fish in coriander sauce which were salty and had way too much ginger garlic paste. It is unfortunate because the new China town of Calcutta is located right near this restaurant. The only item which caught my fancy was the chicken in pepper sauce which had soft succulent pieces with vegetables which provided the right bite tot the dish.

Cafe Mezzuna

Sometimes Wonderful things happen to a city 

Beer batter fried fish 

There are times when a city suddenly gets a break from cafes mushrooming all over the city and a brilliant cafe opens its doors. It started on a weekday evening when ,after a particularly bad experience with one of the new cafes I strolled over to Forum for a bit of dessert and was positive happy to see a delightfully inviting cafe, from across the glass door the wooden interiors coupled with the pastel green shades attracted me and so I went in for some coffee and dessert. Before I move on to the brilliant bit let me pause for a little while about the tiny little problems.

I was a lone diner and being an usual lone diner I expressly note down how a restaurant reacts to lone diners, some are positively unhappy, some welcome you whole-heatedly and then there are those who seem almost flabbergasted. Whosoever had done the beautiful interiors had completely forgotten about solo diners which I do not appreciate. Even with the place being virtually empty my server had to look around and then finally seated me at a table for 4. The sofa was soft and well cushioned and to my liking since iit was comfortable but you thankfully do not sink in.

Their menu done in a particularly sweet style which reminds one of the school days with the paper resembling the brown papers one used for covering copies and books was a very lovely change of the usual big menus, it comes in a transparent file which is innovative indeed.  Now let me be clear about my taste in coffee, I like ti particualrly strong to the point that it is bitter with creamy foam on top and so I expressly requested them to bring a very strong cup of cappuccino for me which I teamed up with the batter fried fish. Tired of the usual set cheesecakes i was delighted to know that theirs is baked and so I  asked for the two berry cheesecake.

I particularly loved the pristine white napkins and I was extremely impressed with the coffee which came in a cup with a saucer. The coffee was perfect for my taste. My batter fried fish soon followed and it was fresh fish with the most perfect batter. crispy crunchy and deep fried it is perfectly batter fried fish. I would have loved it had they served my coffee and batter fried fish together since I had mentioned that I would like to eat something with my coffee but then again I would not hold it against them. Their presentation was delightfully unique and wonderful with the fish in a paper cone on a wooden slab with the tartar dip.

What came last after a considerable amount of time blew my mind away. The cheesecake with freshly prepared warm compote is soft, creamy with the perfect crust which is neither dry nor soggy and gets people like me addicted to it.

I have to include my second experience at this cafe where we ordered a cocktail, my fizzy cocktail with vodka, ginger and lime was divine.

What I noticed on both my visits was that the servers though polite do not keep an eye on the tables to note if the water glasses are empty after the first fill. On my first visit I was very thirsty and since nobody looked my way I had to wait quite a bit for water. This I would definitely request the management to take care of this issue. My total damage on the first day was Rs600 and considering that it filled me up and was superb in taste I would say it is complete value for money.

I can honestly say this is has become my favourite cafe in town.

A bold attempt from the Tea trove

The best of intentions unfortunately does not always lead to the best of results 

The Thai style Chicken wings

We were invited as part of the Kolkata Food Bloggers to sample the new dishes of offer on their brand new menu. Located near Southern Avenue locating the cafe is not too difficult, simply cross Rashbehari Avenue if you are traveling from AJC Bose road and keep your eyes on the right for a showroom of 'Blackberry' and then take an U-turn or walk over to the other side of the road and get into the street adjacent to the showroom and walk straight ahead and the cafe is located on the left hand side of the street. You go up and notice a very low-lit place with trendy music which is being blasted from the stereo. 

My fellow diners were already present and we were seated near the glass wall overlooking the street. What overwhelmed me right in the beginning was this smoky atmosphere which was a direct result of an open kitchen with no room for ventilation. This was probably one of the biggest turn offs. Throughout the evening I felt uncomfortable and my eyes were burning while I almost felt choked. 

When it came to service I am very sorry to note that the server did not serve a glass of water which was later noticed by my fellow diner as well. There were two drinks which were already on the table and a sip from each left me very disappointed. The Tom and Jerry drink which is supposed to be an iced tea with coca cola had the overpowering taste of cocoa cola and on top of that it was watery. The other creamy drink whose name I forget was not creamy at all but in fact watery again without any flavours. 

I was happy to learn that the cafe was open to suggestions. 

We were then served the chicken wings which came in the sweet Thai chili flavour and the Barbeque flavour. While the sacue from the Thai flavoured wings with its distinct taste of chili was working well with my palate the sweetness was a turn off for my palate but the biggest problem with both the dishes was that it had not been tossed in the respective sauces as a result it was rather crunchy fried chicken wings with some sauce and so the flavour was uneven. What I liked though was that the chicken was perfectly fried for my taste buds, the meat was juicy and soft and the batter was crunchy and crispy. It was neither over-fried nor underdone. 

We were served a third drink which probably was the best one for my palate among the drinks served. It had a strong flavour of strawberry and there was some amount of creaminess. What was a disappointment was the watery taste. As pointed out by my fellow diner a cafe named The Tea trove should offer drinks with a stronger taste of tea. I would rather appreciate a well made classic lemon mint iced tea over fusion drinks which has no flavour of tea. 

What followed from their offering was a tangy crispy vegetable snack which honestly did grow on me but the problem is when I write about my experience where I do not pay for the meal it is easier to be generous. Frankly speaking if I had been a regular customer and had to pay for it I would leave a very angry customer. I would suggest that the restaurant explains the dishes on their menu so that the customer has a clearer idea of what they are ordering. What I liked was the balsamic vinaigrette which was tangy and tasty but then again  quoting the Chef 'Brussel sprouts' are an acquired taste and so it might not be too popular. I suggest keeping an option of vegetables for customers to choose from. 

Their lasagna did nothing for my taste buds with the overwhelming spicy taste. ideally even with vegetarian lasagna I would have preferred a greater amount of homemade tomato sauce to be used. The layers were hardly there, the cheese was burnt on top and the pasta was not well cooked and stuck together. This was indeed a huge disappointment. It reminded me of a fictional character who would make 'burnt and under cooked' mac n cheese.

There was Arancini , which are basically 'rice balls with cheese' , theirs had pomodoro sauce (a tomato based sauce) which was a bit sweet for my taste due to the use of onions which had been caramelized but it was a nice dish with the nicely cooked arborio rice inside and the cheese. 

The chef personally came to us for suggestions and I really liked his openness to suggestions. He insisted that we try the last dish, a Mediterranean salad which basically was basically Grilled Chicken with the skin on for a nice crispiness , mushrooms and lettuce. The vinaigrette was again well made , but  it was a tad too salty for my taste but I liked the taste of rosemary . 

Most of the dishes expect the lasagna were well made but did not reach the finishing line due to a few faults here and there. 

A Mediterranean Experience at Souk

A Mediterranean Experience at Souk 

A good culinary experience takes time to prepare and needs time to be thoroughly enjoyed. 

I was invited as part of the Kolkata Food Bloggers for a tasting from the upcoming menu at Souk - the Mediterranean restaurant at The Taj Kolkata which would be on the offer very soon. To be honest the only experience I have had at Taj Bengal was at their European restaurant which serves some of the best Continental fare in town and then of course there is La Patisserie with excellent pastries and gateau on offer. So good are the offerings from the two mentioned restaurants that I did go back for the pastries and pizzas and got stuck with these two restaurants when there are so many lovely restaurants at The Taj as I found out today.

The delectable Mezze 

It was an experience which was educational and a sheer pleasure for my taste buds and created a want to go back again and again.

Located at The Taj Bengal , Kolkata the decor with its low lighting and the beautiful yet modern chandelier gives the place a soft touch. As soon as we were all gathered together we were served the Wine Rosette which I found appealing for my taste buds.

We begun our Mediterranean culinary journey with the amuse bouche which is essentially a French term for mini starters  in the simplest words that I might put. In this case it had the essential Mediterranean flavour with a  bite sized watermelon and  a dollop of creamy feta cheese.

Here I have to mention that I am a cheese addict, and I love feta cheese but its saltiness usually has to be balanced well and the chef had wonderfully balanced the saltiness of the feta with the fresh juicy watermelon and it was a sheer delightful start indeed .

To be fair each and every food item was exquisite but what I personally enjoyed was the detailed explanation of each and every  dish which made the experience more interesting.

The mezze on offer was superb . There was hummus of two different kinds. So while the Hummus Turki with its chopped piri piri olives was smooth with the particularly delightful taste of olives the Hummus Bil lahm with the lamb morsels was exquisite. The secret behind their smooth texture is the usage of the even sized chickpeas which the chef takes extra special care to make. The lamb used is not the lamb with a lot of fat but the lean meaty portions which gives it a beautiful texture.

The Felafil caught my fancy with its grainy texture and the distinct taste of garlic and cumin. There is lamb kibeh, stuffed with mince meat and pine nuts  which I personally did not find to my liking because of its dryness .

The crunchy Swada Dilaj is tangy sweet and beautiful. The Tabbouleh has cracked wheat and parsley but the taste which stayed in my mind was that of the mehir lemon. Tangy and fresh it is delightful but not something I would personally highly recommend. From the assorted pita bread I chose the zatar Pita bread which has the herb zatar and that with the hummus is something worth giving a try due to the very unique flavour from the herb and the smooth hummus.

There then came individual plates of assorted grills. The chef was kind enough to interact with us and discuss how even though Indian kebabs have their origin in the middle eastern grills the spread on offer is unique in its own way. Unique indeed, the Adana kebab (lamb kebab) was soft with a firm texture and that tantalizing taste of turkish chili which is hot but does not leave you in tears. The fish (samak Meshwi)  with the base of tomato marination was tangy and spicy . By the time I took a bite of the Tavuk Yogurtulu Bitlis I was probably in need for a break to cleanse my palate and as a result I do not clearly remember its  taste but I definitely recommend the Adana kebab with its delightful flavours and a subtle after-taste of Turkish chilies.

From their main course I would personally recommend the Moussaka for the perfectly baked aubergine which was delightfully thin yet crispy and the buttered Burghul was a sheer delight for the senses. The samak Moroccan (which is a pan fried fish dish) is delightful indeed with a tangy taste from the lemon and a blend of assorted spices. The lahm tagine had the softest lamb meat ever and the preserved lime gave it a beautiful taste of pickled lime and the chickpea gave it a lovely body.

The pasta which was not on the menu from which we had our tasting but is on the regular menu was delightfully tangy and very different from the usual Italian counterparts since it is from a different country. The prunes in the tomato based sauce gives it a lovely touch.

The delightful spread of dessert 

My favourite bit was their offer of desserts. Creamy rose petal ice-cream , it not the rose flavoured ice-cream but ice-cream made with pure rose petals. The Omali which is a delightful combination of in-house made condensed milk , filo sheets and pistachios was surprisingly not too sweet for my palate and the baklava though a tad sweet for my palate was a delightful dessert indeed, nutty with the crisp  filo sheets  was a true Mediterranean experience, indeed. We ended our meal in a true Mediterranean way with some mint tea which definitely helps in digestion.

All their ingredients are imported from the Middle east and so for an authentic Mediterranean culinary experience I definitely recommend The Souk. What I personally would specially recommend are their kebabs which are full of flavours , light on the stomach and utterly soft and delicious. And you simply cannot miss their spread of desserts.

Good food does not and cannot come cheap so indulge in some luxurious treat but that which gives complete value for your money. A delightful experience would set you back approximately by Rs3000 to Rs4000 for A la Carte (where you choose from the dishes mentioned above)

This is part of the experience from the Kolkata Food Blogger's team.

Golbari

Golbari 

Legend has it that no one knows whether 'Golbarir mangsho' (a beautiful meat curry from Golbari) created the traffic jam at the crossing point of Shyambazaar or vice-versa but whatever it is the meat curry is this unique oily curry which is good enough to halt traffic.

Now one of the phrases I personally absolutely despise is 'the taste is not what it used to be' or the classic 'it has become very bad' from so and so year without further explanation as to what would be the taste from a by-gone era or why it has become bad. I shall tell you exactly why, this is a common trait of superiority. It is as if the person concerned wants you to consciously feel that you are missing out on a taste which this other person has had the privilege of tasting. of course I would take such opinions seriously if there is a logic with the statement. I agree with a dear friend of mine who is much older than me hence her having tasted it over a greater number of years than I have who had pointed out that she has on certain occasions been disappointed with tough meat from this legendary joint of Calcutta. I myself have had soft succulent tender meat and tough chewy and horrible meat from the eatery in question.

Now I am going to share m y experience not from the past but from the present , which is today 5th March 2014 and I have to say these classic places should always be given the benefit of the doubt.

I usually am not required to go to that part of town much often and so with a visit to Burrabazar I decided this would be the ideal day to explore the favourite part of my city, the classic old Calcutta. My usual exploring of this area means walking around and so walk I did and then when I was tired I decided I needed the much famed and infamous 'Golbarir Kosha Mangsho' Located right at the junction of Shyambazar crossing the eatery is very easy to locate and is housed in the 'New Punjabi Hotel' . To be clear  the name of the restaurant is 'New Punjabi Hotel' , it is called golbari because it literally translates to 'round house' and that coems form the structure if you look at it from the opposite side of the road.

Now there are a few items in this shop but the legendary dish is the 'Kosha mangshi' 'Bhuna Gohst' It is a delicious meat curry which is curried to a point where it appears black in colour, the curry itself is spicy yet hot in a way where the average joe does not have steam blowing out from his ears and these succulant pieces of meat. Now I personally would not advise people to sit down and have a meal at this joint because it is cramped , small and extremely hot. So I packed the 'kosha mangsho' along with a chicken cutlet. Now usually people have this curried meat with 'paranthas' shallow fried flat-bread but the oily curry and shallow fried flatbread is not best friends with my stomach and I much prefer the handmade chapati because it balances out on oiliness since it is soft , moist and the curry is oily, robust and delicious. I did get it packed and the chapatis were not bought from this eatery.

Now I started with the cutlet which was every bit delicious. I shall state that the amount of spices used was perfect for my taste buds since I did not have tears rolling down due to excessive usage of chilis and I could taste the flavours of ginger garlic , chili and coriander leaves. The amount of mince chicken was generous and the coating was thin making it an absolute delight. They had not packed the usual condiment that is served with these snacks, the 'kasundi' a mustard sauce from bengal with a punch and I did try and use my homemade mustard sauce but then I realized when the flavours, the saltiness, spices etc  are so well balanced for my taste buds I wouldn't want some condiment to drown the original taste of the cutlet which is superb.

Truth be told I was a bit skeptical about the curried meat since I myself have had the experience of chewy meat from the place but with one bite I was completely satisfied. You get 4 pieces of succulent meat which is soft enough to be torn with two fingers and that with the soft chapatis is a roller coaster ride through tasty-land. The curry is spicy and oily and a sheer delight. I used both chapati and rice because rice soaks up the oil much better and for my taste buds the mellowed down oiliness due to the mixing with rice works beautifully. So I suggest using chapatis for 2 pieces and rice for the rest . However I must admit that while I received three succulent, soft juicy and tender pieces of meat there was this 1 piece which was horribly chewy, disgustingly dry but then again when 75% of the meat was soft , tender and perfect for my taste buds I see no reason to slam this legendary eatery.

I would say this eatery shall keep halting traffic for years to come.

Chili's Kolkata

Chili's Kolkata

The fajita combo

So Chili's is the latest trendy restaurant in Kolkata. Everybody wants to go there (well I am generalizing) and anybody who has been there cannot stop talking about its amazing food. Now I shall be honest. Initially I hardly was interested in Chili's because it is a chain-restaurant from the USA and since I absolutely dislike pizzas from Dominos and PizzaHut I did not really have a very high opinion of another chain restaurant. A single visit changed my opinion completely.

Located at the trendiest new shopping mall of Kolkata , Quest this restaurant is located on the right side of the 4th floor. The decor is informal and done in red in keeping with the name. While I was there in the mall on a Sunday visiting another joint the queue in front of Chili's was a very long queue and so I was glad that I was paying a visit to the joint on a Tuesday afternoon.

On a weekday afternoon even though there were many diners we easily found a table for three hungry souls. What I like is that the sofa table we chose were firm and comfortable but you do not sink in them since the only time I would personally want to sink in a comfortable sofa is when I am solely relaxing.

The menu is huge and so I did what I usually do, opt for the restaurants classic dish because I personally feel the classic dishes of a restaurant are its best ones and since I was visiting the restaurant for the first time I wanted to try their signature dishes. I had already been told about their gigantic portions and so I wanted to solely try their mains but then again the image of the chicken wings drew all three of us towards it

The delightful chicken wings

So we ordered 1 plate of chicken wing's , I ordered the classic Fajita combo, my friend went in for some Enchiladas and our other friend who does not eat bacon went for the Barbeque chicken salad and requested them that they not serve bacon.

The tad disappointment I had was with their limited option of drinks. I prefer my drinks freshly made which none of their drinks are but even so went in for the lemonade which I found too sweet for my taste but every item is gigantic and so it came in a 500ml tumbler.

The Barbeque chicken salad 

The food arrived quite quickly but even after we had repeatedly requested them to please serve the mains together the salad was served first and when we requested that the dish be served with the other mains we were requested back to put it on one side of the table which according to me is not the ideal service one expects. Since the salad was cold salad and we were three diners seated at a table for 4 we gladly complied but that still does not make it acceptable.

Our starter was soon enough brought in and one bite was enough to transport me to a world of soft succulent chicken coated in this amazing hot sauce which thankfully was not sweet. What you do is to get the full flavour you dip it in the creamy accompaniment and then get lost in the tangy hot flavour along with the creaminess which is perfect for my taste buds.

The enchiladas 

Now our orders followed soon enough and again the sizes are enormous and so we should have ideally taken 2 mains and 1 starter.

The fajita's accompaniment 

My friend's enchiladas were amazingly good because it had a great rice and chicken filling and the tortillas were soft and it was doused in a superb red gravy. The salad was surprisingly good , it was creamy and the ranch dressing was truly delicious and if I am not mistaken there was a drizzle of balsamic vinegar which added its delightful taste as well. To be fair with the portion of my own fajita I hardly tasted the other dishes but my fajita was utterly delicious. The tacos were soft, the fresh salsa was truly fresh and the blob of sour cream was the perfect spread on the tacos along with crumbled dry cheese and the grilled meat. The steak was juicy yet thankfully not overcooked and the chicken was well done enough to be easily cut into pieces with the fork. This entire meal came within Rs750 per person which is inclusive of taxes and service charges and left me uncomfortable because of the portions. I definitely suggest one dish per person and no extra appetizers and I finally understood all the fuss about this joint. I for sure am coming back.